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THE HISTORY, SYMBOLISM, SPIRITUALITY, AND TRANSFORMATION OF THE JINGLE DRESS AND DANCE OF THE NORTH-EASTERN WOODLAND INDIANS by IRMC ARD STEGNER A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS Department of Sociology and Anthropology Carleton University Ottawa, Ontario Fall 2008 copyright 2008, Irmgard Stegner Library and Bibliotheque et 1*1 Archives Canada Archives Canada Published Heritage Direction du Branch Patrimoine de I'edition 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington Ottawa ON K1A0N4 Ottawa ON K1A0N4 Canada Canada Your file Votre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-47504-1 Our file Notre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-47504-1 NOTICE: AVIS: The author has granted a non L'auteur a accorde une licence non exclusive exclusive license allowing Library permettant a la Bibliotheque et Archives and Archives Canada to reproduce, Canada de reproduire, publier, archiver, publish, archive, preserve, conserve, sauvegarder, conserver, transmettre au public communicate to the public by par telecommunication ou par Plntemet, prefer, telecommunication or on the Internet, distribuer et vendre des theses partout dans loan, distribute and sell theses le monde, a des fins commerciales ou autres, worldwide, for commercial or non sur support microforme, papier, electronique commercial purposes, in microform, et/ou autres formats. paper, electronic and/or any other formats. The author retains copyright L'auteur conserve la propriete du droit d'auteur ownership and moral rights in et des droits moraux qui protege cette these. this thesis. Neither the thesis Ni la these ni des extraits substantiels de nor substantial extracts from it celle-ci ne doivent etre imprimes ou autrement may be printed or otherwise reproduits sans son autorisation. reproduced without the author's permission. In compliance with the Canadian Conformement a la loi canadienne Privacy Act some supporting sur la protection de la vie privee, forms may have been removed quelques formulaires secondaires from this thesis. ont ete enleves de cette these. While these forms may be included Bien que ces formulaires in the document page count, aient inclus dans la pagination, their removal does not represent il n'y aura aucun contenu manquant. any loss of content from the thesis. Canada The undersigned recommend to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research acceptance of the thesis The History, Symbolism, Spirituality, and Transformation of the Jingle Dress Dance of the Eastern Woodland Indians submitted by Irmgard Stegner in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Arts Thesis Supervisor Thesis Co-Supervisor - Second Reader Chair, Department of Sociology and Anthropology Carleton University Fall 2008 Dedication For Ron, my great friend and confidante, who encouraged me when the going got tough, and who was my cheerleader during this project! ii ABSTRACT Among Aboriginal peoples of North-America, the wearing of colourful regalia, singing and dancing to the beat of the drum and other instruments, whether for spiritual or temporal ceremonies, has been a way of life for millennia. However, from the mid-1800s to the mid- 1900s, native Indians were either discouraged or forbidden by law to wear ceremonial dress and to perform any of their ceremonies. Due to the reclaiming and resurgence by Indians of their cultural traditions during the latter part of the 20* century, many of their ceremonies have become popular entertainment among non-aboriginal people at regional powwows, on television and in films. Nevertheless, stereotypes, biases, misconceptions, and misunderstandings still exist among the general public, often perpetuated by the same media which promote Indian culture. By focusing on a particular form of regalia and dance such as the Jingle Dress and Dance, through research, observation, interviews, close examination and analyses, it is possible to gain at least a nominal knowledge and understanding of Indian traditions. The Jingle Dress regalia is worn and the dance performed by women only. The considerable transformation they have undergone over the past decades may be an indicator of the ongoing changes and adaptations occurring in the lives of North American Indians. In this thesis I shall explore the Jingle Dress and Dance of the North Eastern Woodland Indians in the context of other North American cultural traditions. A close examination of the historical, symbolic, healing and spiritual aspects of this ceremony should also reveal possible connections to Indian women's identity, its transformation and relevance over time, as well as its potential for the future. Since the Jingle Dress Dance has strong links to medicine and healing, I shall also examine the significance of this factor of the tradition. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I wish to express my thanks and gratitude to all those individuals who guided and assisted me throughout the duration of my thesis project. My thanks go to Mr. Simon Brascoup6 (Carleton University) who first suggested that I consider researching the Jingle Dress and Dance for my MA-thesis. Until then, I had not known about it. I want to thank especially Dr. Derek Smith, Adjunct Professor of Anthropology at Carleton University, for his extensive guidance and invaluable advice over the past several years. My thanks also go to Dr. Colleen Dell, Professor of Sociology at Carleton University (now Adjunct Professor) for her counsel and numerous suggestions, her patience and the time she spent with me discussing my thesis progress. Both, Professors Smith and Dell are members of my thesis committee. I also wish to thank the various assistants at the Library and Archives of Canada (Ottawa) in conducting electronic research, as well as perusing their photographic collection. A special thank you to various staff members of the library and archival division of the Canadian Museum of Civilization (CMC, Gatineau/Qu6bec) who, at times, went out of their way to assist me. I am also grateful for the help I received from Dr. Benoit Theriault (Reference Archivist, CMC's Archives Division), as well as Mr. Louis Campeau (CMC, Audio Visual Archivist). Lastly, I want to extend my deep appreciation to the three aboriginal persons who willingly shared with me their knowledge, experience and insight, and so generously gave of their time to be interviewed. They wish to remain anonymous. IV TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Dedication i Abstract ii Acknowledgment iii Table of Contents iv List of Maps, Illustrations, Photographs v-vi Chapter I - Introduction 1. Introduction of Research Question 1 2. Purpose of this Thesis 6 3. Methods of Research 13 4. The Matter of Terminology 16 Chapter II - North-Eastern Woodland Indians 1. Early History and Geography 19 2. Beliefs, Myths, and Rituals 32 Chapter III - The Jingle Dress and Dance 1. History of the Tradition 52 2. Jingles and Tinkels - What do they mean? 63 3. Producing the Dress and Dancing the Steps 79 4. Symbolism of Regalia, Dance and Song 87 5. Relationship to Family, Community, Powwow, and Gender Issues 101 Chapter IV - Transition and Transformation 1. Change and Continuity - Is Transformation Desirable? 113 2. Discussion and Conclusion 134 3. Concluding Remarks and Suggestions for Further Research 148 4. Assessment of Thesis 155 References 159 MAPS Fig. 1: Map: Distribution of Eastern Woodland Indians; Storck, Peter L., "Ontario Prehistory" (1981) Fig. 2: Map: Paleo-Indian and Archaic Sites Handbook of North-American Indians, Sturtevant, W. (gen. ed.), Vol. 15, p. 17 (1978); Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. Fig. 3: Map: European Entry into North America; Dubin, L.S., "North American Indian Jewelry and Adornment - From Prehistory to the Present". New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. (1999) Fig. 4: Map: The Iroquois Confederacy; Wright R., "Stolen Continents" (1993) Fig. 5: Map: Tribal Locations in the Eastern Woodlands Area, Willey, G. R., "An Introduction to American Archaeology" (1993) Fig. 6: Map: Key to Tribal Territories, Sturtevant, W. (gen. ed.), "Handbook of North- American Indians", Northeast, Vol. 15, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C. (1978) ILLUSTRATIONS AND PHOTOGRAPHS Fig. 7: Illustration: The Mounds are deciphered, Ceram, C.W., "Der Erste Amerikaner", Reinbek bei Hamburg: Rowohlt Verlag GmbH (1978) Figs. 8 & 9: Photograph: Ojibway Women from Lake of the Woods, Rat Portage/ Kenora, Ontario, ca. 1905; Lake of the Woods Museum, Kenora, Ontario Fig. 10: Photograph: Jingles on Male Powwow Dress (1930s); Roberts, Chris; Powwow Country - People of the Circle (1998) Fig. 11: Photograph: Missionary with Dakota Sioux Girls, ca. 1930; Whispering Wind, Vol. 24, No. 2 (Summer 1991 Fig. 12: Photograph: Chippewa Maidens on Itasca State Golf Course, July 1932; photograph from the Minnesota Historical Society, Saint Paul, MN vi Fig 13.: Photograph: The Son and Daughter of Mrs. Maggie Wilson, 1933; Ruth Landes in "Religion and the Midewiwin", Madison: University of Wisconsin Press (1968) Fig. 14: Photograph: Maggie White participates in the Windy Boy Family Giveaway"; Marra, Ben Powwow - Images Along the Red Road; New York: Harry N. Abrams Inc. (1996) Fig. 15: Photograph: Copper Hair Ornaments; Quimby, G.I., "Indian Culture and European Trade Goods " (1966) Fig. 16: Photograph: Brass Tinkling Cones attached to a leather bag, 1700s; Quimby. "Indian Culture and European Trade Goods" (1966) Fig. 17: Photograph: Pouch with metal cones, Eastern Woodlands (Chippewa), ca. 1780; Ewing D.C., "Pleasing the Spirit" (1982) Fig. 18a)